Madison

I’m running late to my meeting with Nicholas. Carrying two bags along with my purse is proving to be challenging especially on the busy streets of Chicago. I make it to the restaurant where we’re meeting, and the hostess immediately takes me to the back where Nicholas is sitting.

“Madison. Lovely to see you.” He takes the bags from my arms and gestures with his arm for me to sit. “How are you?” he asks while sitting back down himself.

“I’m good, thank you for asking. And yourself?”

“Busy as usual.” He smiles, and before I can say something, my phone vibrates, and I excuse myself.

Bryce: Peter stopped by the store, and you aren’t there. If I remember correctly, you’re only to be working for me. Where are you?

I don’t answer. This is a work meeting, and I need to focus on Nicholas. “I apologize. So I have the casual outfits, and I added a new suit we just got in today that I think you’ll like. It’s a bit more fitted, but that’s the style.” Nicholas continues to listen, and I ignore each text message or call coming in. If it’s Bryce, I’m going to be super upset. He can’t interfere with my work.

“I’m sure anything you have for me will be good. Enough about clothes. Let’s order something to eat.”

Not wanting to be rude, I nod and pick up my menu. Discreetly, I look at my phone. There are six text messages and two missed calls. All from Bryce.

Bryce: Answer your phone, Madison.

Bryce: Your silence is fucking with my head. Are you okay?

Bryce: I had to call Glenn since you weren’t answering and now I’m aware you’re in a meeting with another client. Do I need to remind you are only to work for me?

Bryce. Madison. ANSWER YOUR DAMN PHONE.

Bryce: Nicholas Reimer. You’re with that asshole?! CALL ME BACK!

I cringe. This isn’t going to be good at all.

After our lunch, Nicholas walks me to my car and places his hand on my lower back. I freeze. There’s no reason for this contact.

“Get your hands off her, Reimer.” I wince. He’s going to embarrass me, and this isn’t going to end well.

Nicholas keeps his hand on me and turns to look at Bryce. “Hunter. What in the ever-loving hell do you want?”

He glowers at Nicholas then at me. “Get in the car, Madison. Head straight to my office.” I’m about to protest. “Now!” he all but roars.

I look at the men and say goodbye to Nicholas before turning to Bryce. My eyes narrow on him, and I’m ready to give him hell.

“Do you mind telling me what the fuck that was all about?”

“Language, Madison.”

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Now, are you going to explain?”

He reaches behind me to shut the door before pushing me against the driver’s side door. “I am your only client. You’re dropping Nicholas and the other two. Don’t test me, Madison.”

“Your threats aren’t going to work on me. I’m leaving.”

Getting into my car, I drive back to work and ignore my cell phone. If Bryce truly thinks he can run my life, he has another thing coming.

* * *

The club’s steadily busy with people all around and the drinks keep coming. I’m on my third dirty martini, and I have zero desire to get up and head home. Kaylee’s in the same boat. We’re staying at Galen’s tonight since he lives close by.

“He’s so demanding,” Galen says. “I mean, you don’t say that kind of shit to your woman. Who does he think he is?”

I finish my drink and order another one. “I’m supposed to be moving in soon. How’s that going to happen if he’s this overbearing?”

“Glenn said Bryce didn’t sound happy. He’s so confused on what to do since Bryce and Nicholas are the company’s top clients.”

I groan and play with the square napkin on the table. My head’s foggy. I’m not sure how to answer them. Instead, I excuse myself to use the restroom. Kaylee’s almost out of her seat to join me when I tell her I need a minute alone. She doesn’t look happy. I walk away and to the restroom. The counter cools my heated hands. Bryce’s text messages keep playing in my head. Over and over again.

“What am I doing?” I mutter and wash my hands, patting the cool water on my face.

Taking a towel, I use it to open the restroom door and toss it in the garbage before walking toward Kaylee and Galen. A hand grabs me and spins me to his chest. I don’t see his face, but his voice gets my attention.

“Please, Madison. Please. I’m leaving Julie. I’m leaving her for you. You need to see how badly I miss you. I love you so fucking much, Madison. Be with me again.”

I’m trying to pull away from him when I hear Bryce’s booming voice. “Get the hell away from my girlfriend.”

Kent doesn’t let me go. Instead, he holds me tighter, and I can feel Bryce near me. This isn’t going to end well.

Bryce snarls. “Now!”

“She’s not your girlfriend. She’s mine.”

Oh, fuck my life.

Bryce grabs my waist with both hands and yanks me away from Kent before his fist lands a punch on Kent’s nose.

“Bryce!” I shout and pull back his arm, or at least try to. “Stop this. Now.”

“Madison!” both Kaylee and Galen say, standing by my side and taking in the scene in front of them.

“Asshole, get the hell away. You’ve caused too much damage. I swear I’m two seconds away from punching your nuts!” Kaylee threatens Kent.

“Kent,” I beg him, “please go.”

“Fine,” he relents. “This isn’t over, Madison. I’m going to show you all the proof, and once I get it, you’ll see who you’re really dealing with. Once you do, I’ll be here for you, sweetheart. Always.”

Bryce is about to punch him again. I hurry to stand between them and keep my eyes on Bryce’s. I’m silently telling him to back off and that the situation is under control. It takes him a moment to realize what I’m saying.

This is fucking annoying. I grab Kaylee and Galen and head to the bar. I need another drink and a shot. There’s no way I’m going to let Bryce ruin tonight. He shouldn’t be here, and I don’t want to know how he or Kent knew I was here.

A hand touches my shoulder. It’s a new kind of touch. I turn and see a gorgeous man with gray eyes and a devilish smile before me. He sticks out his hand my way.

“I should introduce myself. I’m Henry Malcolm, Bryce’s best friend. I’m sorry we’re meeting like this. I have just arrived from London and haven’t had a chance to officially meet you.”

I look at Kaylee and see her eyes bulge out. I’m pretty sure I hear her panting, then I look at Galen, and he’s doing the same.

“It’s nice to meet you, Henry. As you know, I’m Madison Smith. These are my friends, Kaylee and Galen.”

He nods at Galen and smiles at Kaylee. “Nice to meet you both.” He turns back to me. “I’m going to warn you, he’s in a mood and won’t make tonight easy for you.”

“Great.”

Bryce stalks his way over and glowers at me. “Why didn’t you answer your phone? When I call you or text you, I expect a response. Do you have a clue how I worry about you when you don’t respond?”

“There was no reason to worry about me. You acted like an ass for no reason. If you’re here to be a controlling freak, I’m not dealing with it,” I austerely state, crossing my arms over my chest, and narrowing my eyes.

Bryce steps closer to me and I see the fury in his eyes. I know exactly how this is going to go.

I stand from the stool and turn to take my shot and take my drink. I’m not going to deal with this at the club. If he wants to talk like a mature man, then we can. For now, I’m going to walk away and enjoy tonight with my friends.

This is starting to feel like a business transaction or a dominant and submissive relationship, which is not happening. He can dominate me in the bedroom, but right here, right now, and anytime we’re in public, he needs to see me for who I am—his girlfriend.

At the table, I leisurely drink my martini. The bar’s getting packed, and people are getting lost in the crowd. Even though so many people are here, I can still feel him. Every hair on my arm is standing in alert. When I look up, he’s standing next to Galen with his friend, Henry. Both men are gorgeous. Honestly, how’s this fair for the women population?

The drinks are hitting me full force, and I’m pretty sure I’m drunk. The idea of possibly going back to Bryce’s penthouse is giving me anxiety. The problem is, when I’m drunk, I don’t have a filter. I tell it like it is and no fucks are given. So, if Bryce pushes me, then he’s getting it, and I won’t have any regrets. I’m sure he’s never had a woman put him in his place.

There’s always a first for everything.

I see Henry walking to the side where Kaylee’s sitting across from me and turns his attention to her. I bet she’s happy to have his attention. The man is hot as sin. My man’s hotter, though. Or they’re equally hot.

“Madison.” Bryce’s tone is clipped and slow. “We need to talk. Let’s go.”

I notice Henry’s wary expression and look at Kaylee for help. She’s sporting the same look as Henry, and I’m utterly annoyed. No one’s butting in to help. Does Bryce have such limitless power and control that no one will defy him except me?

“I’m not ready to leave.” I take my drink and shoot it back. “Another round on me, everyone.”

“Madison.”

“Bryce.” I narrow my eyes at him, keeping my cold stare, and decide to put my foot down. I’m calling the shots tonight.

His expression turns dark and deadly, but I don’t care. “Madison, I will not ask you again.”

“Then don’t. I’m not a piece of property you’ve acquired, Bryce. Treat me like your fucking girlfriend or get the hell out of my face and consider us done.”

I don’t miss the pained expression. He recovers swiftly and softly places his hand on mine. “Can we please go and talk?” His tone is calmer. “I’m sorry for being overbearing. I didn’t mean to treat you so badly. You mean a great deal to me, Madison.”

Gentle.

Of course, I give in.

We excuse ourselves and wish everyone a good night. Kaylee gives me her call me tomorrow with details look. I notice Peter standing by the door and give him a small smile before climbing into the back seat of the SUV.

The door closes, but I’m too absorbed looking out my window to care about what Bryce wants to say. “Peter,” I start to say, “my car …”

“Henry’s taking it back to the apartment. Kaylee took your keys without you realizing and gave it to him.”

“Okay.”

The short drive is quiet, and when we’re inside his penthouse, I drop my clutch on the counter and walk to the window. Seeing the world from this height clears my head. I know what I want to say and gain the courage to say it. Plus, the alcohol in my system is giving me the push I need to give Bryce a piece of my mind.

“Bryce, you can’t do this. You can’t barge into my work and demand answers.” I turn around to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. “This is becoming unhealthy. Your need to control me isn’t going to work. Treat me like your girlfriend. Behind closed doors, you whisper the sweetest and dirtiest things to me, and then when you don’t get your way, you throw a tantrum like a child and try to control me with your demands. It’s disrespectful, and not something I’m looking to be in.”

He sighs and runs a hand through his unruly hair. “The idea of you with another man …”

“Is what? Do you think I’m cheating on you? I’m with you. No one else. Nicholas is a client. Whatever beef you have with him shouldn’t affect me.”

“Everything you do matters to me. When I don’t hear from you or know where you are, it drives me fucking crazy. I’ve never been in a relationship. I don’t always know how to act. You know about my past. There were women I slept with, and they listened to my every command. Then there’s you. Strong, fierce, and independent. It’s one of the infinite things about you I …” He what? “I adore.”

The alcohol is fogging my head. Was he going to say love like the L-O-V-E word? Oh, damn. I shake the thought off and regain my composure. “You have a funny way of showing what you’re telling me. Everything is about learning from your mistakes. If you can’t see that what you’re doing is hurting us, then there’s no reason to be together. This is a relationship, not an ownership.”

“Teach me, Madison. Teach me how to be a boyfriend, a man you want to be with.”

“Bryce.” I laugh and rub my temples with my fingers. “This is starting to get old. I know you want to protect me, but you have to realize this is my job, and I can’t solely work with you. Remember in school, they taught us sharing is caring? Well, you need to abide by that lesson.”

Realization dawns on his calm face. He’s finally getting it. “Okay. You’re right. Now, can we talk?”

“We are.”

I walk away from the windows and sit down. Bryce closes the gap between us and leans over to give me a soft kiss. I’m breathless. My eyes close, and I relish the feel of Bryce near. Our hands are together, fingers entwined, and our breathing matches.

“You have to know what you do to me, Madison. This is new for me. I’ve never been in a relationship. Women never truly mattered to me, and then you come into my life, and I have this need to care for you. Protect you. Be with you. It hits me. I’m doing crazy things.” I nod. “I’m a mess when it comes to you. A mess. Can’t you see and understand?”

Game over.

Bryce has won.

All the anger is gone. This man’s opening himself again, and it’s all I need. All I want. I move closer and straddle his lap. Situating myself on top of his erection, I rest my legs on either side of him. This closeness helps me digest it all. It’s something I’m going to need to get used to.

“You have to trust me.”

“Who was that with you?”

I knew this would happen. “That was Kent.” Bryce’s grip on me tightens, and I feel his hot, angry breath on the skin of my neck. “He thinks someone broke us up on purpose. Gave him an ultimatum he had to take. I guess he’s leaving his wife too. Do you think he’s right, or is he being an asshole?”

“Asshole,” Bryce mutters. “No more being around him. I can’t bear seeing another man’s hands on you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Can we go to bed? I’m all talked out. We cleared everything up, and now all I want is to be in your arms.”

He smiles into my neck. “Not before I take you here and feel your pussy around my cock.”

“Okay.” I get off his lap and take off my clothes leisurely. His eyes burn with intense heat as he gazes at my face, then studies my body. I’m completely naked when I lean over to unbutton his pants and free his strong cock. “Quick?”

“Very.”